COAST’S TIGER BALM
OUR LINK TO GOLF’S GREATEST COMEBACK
A GOLD Coast surgeon closely connected to Tiger Woods’ career-reviving back operation says he was “glued to every shot” of his big victory yesterday.
Associate Professor Matthew Scott-Young admits “getting updates in theatre” at his Southport clinic Gold Coast Spine as Woods secured a stunning Tour Championship win in Atlanta.
The remarkable return from the golfing wilderness with his first PGA title in five years – and 80th of his career – is in large part thanks to major back surgery Woods had early last year.
Mr Scott-Young played a key role, advising on a successful disc replacement operation eventually performed by Texas doctor Rick Guyer.
Troubled by chronic back problems and three failed minor spinal procedures, Woods eventually opted for Dr Guyer operating.
Dr Guyer reached out prior to his respected colleague and close friend Mr Scott-Young – but didn’t let his famous client’s name slip at the time.
“Rick contacted me about a professional golfer and asked me to look at some films,” Mr Scott-Young recalls, revealing at the time he had no idea it was for Woods.
“Rick consulted with myself and another of his colleagues as he was considering whether a total disc replacment or anterior fusion would be more appropriate.
“It was my view – given the needs of his profession – stability...was more appropriate.”
Mr Scott-Young added: “It was later when I realised Tiger had gone public, that Rick let me know the golfer had in fact been Tiger Woods.”
Mr Scott-Young said Woods’ win gave him “great satisfaction” as a surgeon as it showed that spinal fusion “when performed for the right reasons, can get people back their lives”.
“I don’t feel I can take any credit for what Tiger Woods has accomplished through the excellent spine surgery performed by Dr Guyer. But I did spend the weekend on the couch glued to his every shot and was getting updates in theatre today,” he said.
“Most people who experience back pain get better without surgery but for a few like Tiger, no matter how hard they work at rehabilitating, they can’t get get back to work and everyday activities that make life worth living.”
Dr Guyer performed an anterior lumbar interbody fusion, essentially removing a damaged disc and inserting an “interbody cage” to maintain the disc space and relieve pressure on nerves.
Woods, the former world No.1, sat on the sidelines for 10 months recovering and watching his ranking plummet to 1,199 in November.
RICK CONTACTED ME ABOUT A PROFESSIONAL GOLFER AND ASKED ME TO LOOK AT SOME FILMS MATTHEW SCOTT-YOUNG